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Today's Case:

Ranch Salad Dressing

I am hearing on TV news that foreign visitors to the U.S. for the World Cup are quite taken with the "Ranch Dressing" that is common here and that some are even trying to smuggle bottles of the dressing or packs of the mix back home with them.

No need for that, you can make it yourself. Gemini's basic copycat recipe is below. There are also recipes for it on these pages:

"Marzetti's" Buttermilk Ranch dressing

"Hidden Valley" Ranch Dressing Mix
This recipe calls for "saltine cracker crumbs." That doesn't seem right to me.

Note that the brand of mayo used can make a difference. Mayos run the gamut from sweet to lemony. Hellman’s or Kraft would be the best choice to make this tangy dressing. If you can't get either of those where you live, look for one with lemon juice as an ingredient."Miracle Whip" or other "salad dressing" will not work because they are too sweet and may contain inappropriate ingredients.

Gemini's Ranch Dressing mix copycat

To make a spot-on copycat Hidden Valley Ranch, combine a simple dry seasoning mix 
(featuring buttermilk powder, dill, and garlic) with mayonnaise, sour cream, and milk. 
The secret to nailing that signature restaurant-style flavor profile is chilling the dressing 
for 30 to 60 minutes before serving.

Gemini's Dry Ranch Seasoning Mix

This dry mix yields about 6 batches of dressing. 

Combine the following dry ingredients in an airtight container and store in the refrigerator:

1/2 cup buttermilk powder
1 tablespoon dried parsley
1 teaspoon dried dill weed
1 teaspoon dried chives
1 tablespoon garlic powder
1 tablespoon onion powder
1 teaspoon sea salt
1\2 teaspoon black pepper

Creamy Ranch Dressing

To make the dressing using your homemade seasoning, whisk these wet ingredients 
together with 2 tablespoons of your dry mix:

1\2 cup mayonnaise (Kraft or Hellmann's works best) 
1\2 cup sour cream (or plain Greek yogurt for a lighter option) 
1\2 cup buttermilk (or regular milk, adjust to reach your desired consistency)